Soerd is a relatively new but increasingly respected Black Metal band from Tallinn, Estonia, formed in 2021. The group emerged from the fertile contemporary Estonian underground and quickly attracted attention for a style rooted in traditional Black Metal while incorporating strong atmospheric and melancholic elements.
The core of Soerd consists of multi-instrumentalist Siim Volkmann, who handles vocals, guitars, drums, and keyboards, alongside Thor Erik Koorep (Erik) on vocals and bass. Guitarist Raiko Rajalaane joined in 2022, expanding the band’s sound and strengthening its live and studio capabilities.
Soerd’s first release was the demo ‘Hel’ in 2021, a brief but promising introduction marked by raw production, cold riffs, and an unmistakably Nordic atmosphere. Two years later, they released the EP ‘Mil laaned vaikivad’ (“When the Forests Fall Silent”), which demonstrated a more developed songwriting approach and a deeper atmospheric character. The EP was issued through Lyndanise Coven and Signal Rex, which helped establish the band’s reputation beyond Estonia.
In 2025, Soerd released their debut full-length album, ‘Keldrikojast’, through a cooperation between Signal Rex and Lyndanise Coven. The album further developed their blend of raw second-wave Black Metal aesthetics, haunting melodies, mystical folk-tinged keyboard passages, and a distinctly Estonian sense of melancholy. Signal Rex described the band as one that had been “stoking the fires of old” since its formation, emphasizing their devotion to classic underground Black Metal values while refining their own identity.
Musically, Soerd has often been compared to the colder and more atmospheric side of the Nordic Black Metal tradition. There are echoes of early Satyricon, Forgotten Woods, Horna, Circle of Ouroborus, and even certain aspects of Burzum, although Soerd are generally regarded as possessing a recognizable character of their own. Their compositions balance raw aggression with melancholy, clean vocal passages, and subtle folkloric influences, creating a sound that feels both deeply rooted in the 1990s Black Metal tradition and unmistakably modern.
Today, Soerd stands among the more interesting names of the new Estonian Black Metal generation, representing a scene that continues to produce quality underground releases while remaining faithful to the spirit of classic Black Metal.
With ‘Keldrikojast’, Estonian Extreme Metal outfit Soerd delivers a debut full-length that feels far older than its actual age. Rather than chasing contemporary trends or relying on post-black embellishments, the band reaches deep into the spirit of the second wave and emerges with a work that sounds as though it has been unearthed from some forgotten cellar beneath the frozen forests surrounding Tallinn. The result is a record steeped in atmosphere, tradition, and a profoundly evocative sense of place.
From the opening moments, ‘Keldrikojast’ establishes a world of shadows and lingering melancholy. Ambient textures and distant sounds serve as a gateway into a landscape where every melody seems weathered by time and every riff carries the weight of memory. What follows is a collection of songs built upon raw Black Metal foundations yet broadened by thoughtful arrangements, subtle keyboards, acoustic passages, and a constant tension between aggression and introspection. The production embraces an earthy, organic roughness that perfectly complements the material. Nothing is polished to excess; instead, every instrument inhabits a mist-covered space where details emerge gradually through repeated listens.
A defining strength of the album lies in its vocal approach. Harsh, rasping screams drive the music forward with all the expected venom, but the equally important clean vocal performances introduce a remarkably human dimension. These plaintive melodies do not soften the music as much as deepen it, adding a mournful and sometimes almost ritualistic quality that lingers long after the songs have ended. The interplay between both vocal styles creates a dramatic character that distinguishes the band from many contemporaries working within a similar stylistic framework.
The longer compositions form the album’s backbone. Tracks such as ‘Igavikke jäädes’ and ‘Peied ja lumihall’ unfold patiently, allowing melodic themes, acoustic interludes, and atmospheric keyboard passages to breathe between bursts of Black Metal ferocity. The songwriting never feels rushed. Instead, Soerd understands the value of repetition, mood, and gradual development, drawing the listener deeper into the album’s cold and dreamlike world with each passing minute. Even when the band accelerates into blast-driven passages, the emphasis remains firmly on atmosphere rather than sheer force.
Musically, echoes of classic Nordic Black Metal appear throughout the record, yet the album avoids becoming a mere exercise in nostalgia. Beneath the familiar tremolo-picked riffs and grim D-Beat aesthetics emerges something distinctly personal, shaped by native language vocals, understated folk inflections, and a persistent sense of isolation. Keyboard layers occasionally drift through the background while acoustic guitars and unexpected melodic touches add depth without disrupting the album’s coherence. Everything serves the atmosphere, and that atmosphere remains captivating from beginning to end.
The shorter ambient pieces and instrumental transitions deserve particular praise. Rather than functioning as simple fillers, they act as connective tissue that strengthens the album’s narrative flow. They reinforce the sensation of descending ever deeper into a hidden underground realm, making the record feel like a complete journey rather than a mere collection of songs. By the time the closing title track fades away, ‘Keldrikojast’ leaves behind an impression of cold stone walls, dim candlelight, ancient memories, and winter silence.
What makes this debut especially successful is its conviction. Soerd is not attempting to reinvent Black Metal. Instead, the band demonstrates a deep understanding of the genre’s enduring strengths: atmosphere, emotion, authenticity, and immersion. Through confident songwriting, evocative arrangements, and an unwavering commitment to mood, ‘Keldrikojast’ emerges as a compelling statement from one of Estonia’s more promising underground acts, a record that feels timeless precisely because it remains so firmly rooted in the essence of Black Metal itself.
